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Iraqi Signal Communications Equipment
Type 19 Wireless Set |
Among the item of communication equipment recovered by coalition forces
were radio sets from both free world countries and communist bloc countries. From England
the following radio sets were recovered: the Racal Syncal 30, Squad Call, Racal BCC-349,
UK/PRC-349, TRA-967 VHF-FM and the MA-4224 Encryption Unit. The Italians supplied PRC-638s
and PRC-439, the West Germans supplied the SEM-52A and the French supplied them with
TRC-302s and TRC-570 sets. Communist bloc radios included the Russian R-113, R-123 and
R-123M tank radios and the R-105, the R-108, R-109, R-114 Russian Back Pack Radios and the
Chinese supplied the Type 889 which is a tank radio with the same space and mounting
requirements as the Russian R 123 sets. Below are pictures of these sets and a brief
description of the sets. For more detailed information on Russian radio sets from pre
W.W.II. to the present, check out the article on:
Russian Military Radios
Russian Tank Radios
During WW II, Russian armour units did not have a tank in each radio as did the Germans
and Americans. Tank platoons had a radio in the platoon leader's tank and orders were then
sent to the other tanks by visual signals. Many Russian tanks were lend lease Shermans and
in many others the Type 19 Wireless set was the standard radio. For the most part, AM was
the standard means of communication among those tanks that had radio sets. To some degree
the reliance on visual signals has carried on into the present day. By the late 1950's
this began to change and by the time of Desert Storm, most Russian made tanks had a
Russian made radio.
In mid 1950's the Russians fielded the T-54 tank and later the T 55 tank. These tanks
had the R-113 FM set for vehicle to vehicle communication and some tanks had the R-311, an
AM set for monitoring higher level units transmissions. The next major tank to enter
Russian service was the T-62 tank which had the R-123 FM radio transceiver. As T-62s began
to fill the Soviet inventory, the T-54 and T-55 tanks were transferred to their allies.
The T-72 began to replace the T-62.s and by the time of the 1973 mid-east wars, the T-62
was in Arab hands along with the R 113 radios and the R-311 AM sets. By the time Iraq and
Iran went to war with each other, the T-72 tanks were being made in an export version.
These tanks had the R-123 transceiver. The example that I have was made in Russia, had
Russian markings on the case and had English language labels pasted over the Russian
lettering.
The major Russian tank radios that were captured during Desert Storm were the R-113s
and the R-123 sets. The R-113 or as the inscription in Russian Cyrillic reads
"P-113" set was a frequency modulated, detent tuned, transceiver with a
frequency range of 20-22.375 MC. The R-113 requires a separate power source and there are
two versions, The BP -2 A, which operates from a 26 volt DC Source and the BP-2B, which
operates from a 13 volt DC, source. The operating voltage of the vehicle in which it is
installed will determine the unit, which is used as the power supply. There is a matrix
behind the front panel, which must be wired to match the voltage of the power supply. A
complete station consists of the transceiver, the power supply and the antenna-matching
unit.
The set has a transmitting range of 20 km (12.4 miles) with a power output of 16 watts.
It has three modes of operation; listen only, transmit/receive and voice operated
transmission. The radio has a modular design and can be repaired easily by replacing the
defective module.
Because of it's limited frequency range, the R 113 can not net with some of the radios
in the Soviet Army such as the R 105 and the R 108 back pack radios which were also
supplied to the Iraqis. This was the reason that it was replaced by the R-123.
This set was normally used in conjunction with the R-120 vehicle intercom system, which
consisted of a tube amplifier, associated cabling and crew station junction boxes. The
standard Soviet tankers helmet has a four-pin connector, which connects to a cable with a
push to talk switch. This cable is connected to the junction box. It is quick disconnect
system, similar to that found on most of the world's tanks. |
R-113 Tank Radio |
R-311 |
R-123 |
R-105D |
R-120 Tank Intercom |
R-123 |
R-123 and R-123 M Transceivers.
This is one of the newest FM sets to be issued to the Soviet forces. It is a compact
transceiver that has a frequency range of 20 to 51.5 MC and can be continually tuned over
the entire frequency range, and there is also a switch, which allows the operator to
select any one of four pre-set frequencies. There are two antennas for use with this set,
a four meter one for when the vehicle is in motion and a ten-meter telescopic antenna for
when the vehicle is used as a stationary command post. The R 123M has no internal speaker,
therefor a headset/mike or CVC helmet must be used. Normally this is also done through an
intercom system. The various voltages that are required to operate this set are supplied
by a transistorised power supply. |
The set is capable of transmitting over a range of 16 to 55 Km (10 to 35 miles)
depending on the type of antenna used. The set has excellent frequency stability and
because of its modular design, repairs are easily accomplished by replacement of the
defective module. The set however has a problem in that the antenna loading indicators
will give several different indications during the antenna loading procedure. It is
therefore possible for an unskilled operator to load the antennas improperly and the set
will transmit far below its maximum power out put.
This set can be netted with several US sets. They include the AN/VRC 12 series of
radios, the AN/PRC-77, the AN/PRR 9 and the AN/PRT 4 A. The R-123 has a voice operated
mode (VOX) and the R-123M set does not have a VOX capability. This set had become the
standard set of the Soviet and Warsaw pact armies before their collapse. It is also
included in all armoured vehicles that the Soviets exported. The sample in my collection
was brought back from Desert Storm and had English language metal tags glued on over the
Russian Cyrillic writing. The glue did not hold up well in the desert heat and many were
falling off. One is also forced to wonder what good are English language tags to an Iraqi
tank crewman.
This set is normally used with the R-124 intercom system, a fully transistorised
replacement for the R-120. This is similar to the R-120 intercom system in that it
consisted of an amplifier, crew station junction boxes, connecting cords and CVC helmets.
The concocting cords came in little leather pouches and I have samples of the push to talk
switches both in Cyrillic and in English.
P-105M |
Russian Back Pack
Radios
The most common of all the Russian radios to be found not just in Iraq, but all over the
world, is the R-105 family of backpack radios. The radio is rather primitive by any bodies
standards, it is not easy to use, nor does it have any saving graces "If you fire one
up, it usually works". First introduced in the early 1950's, it was revamped in the
1960's to use more modern materials ( D Models ), & again in the 1970's ( M Models ).
It has been referred to by many as a slightly updated copy of captured WW-II German sets
and many of it's characteristics, & accessories will show this lineage.All the sets
in this series are of tube type design, with the only presence of transistors being in the
radio's internal inverter power supply. Their cabinets (M models) are constructed of a
heavy bakerlight type material, sealed with paraffin to prevent water & dust seepage.
A Removable cover allows access to the sets controls, which are placed on one side. The
radio is fully operational with this cover in place & it does provide exceptional
protection for the controls, as well as further enhancement of the radios watertight
integrity. The opposite side of the radio has an identical cover to house it's
rechargeable Nicad batteries.
The short antenna supplied with the sets is unique in design. Constructed of a series
of aluminium beads strung on a steel cable, a stiff spring on the end keeps pressure
against these beads & a semi rigid but flexible antenna results. Releasing this spring
tension collapses the antenna allowing it to be rolled up for easy storage. Better than
the British system on the PRC-349, US SCR-300, & anything produced in WW-II, but still
not as good as the U.S. "Stanley" tape configuration that's been in use since
1949, which was copied from the WW II German FeldFu and Dorette antennas. Accessories are available to allow the set to perform various tasks. Without exception
they exhibit the utmost in simplicity, & crude utilitarian design. Carrying equipment
consist of a very thin plastic covered cushion that is placed on the back of the radio,
& simple canvas straps. A long sectional antenna is provided to increase the sets
range while in it's backpack configuration, it does not incorporate a spring to minimise
damage. This same antenna is combined with a "C" clamp type mount for use as a
vehicular antenna. A metal frame used to secure the radio in it's transit case, can also
double as a vehicular mount. It's combination headset/Mic is very similar to that used
with the WW-II U.S. Navy TBY. A handset could also be used that is virtually a copy of a
WW-II German type, & looks much like those used on U.S. EE-8 field telephones. Other
accessories include a long wire antenna, & a 50 watt mobile amplifier is also known to
have been built, both intended to increase the basic radio's range, the later has not been
encountered as a Desert Storm Trophy, but were recovered in the mid east wars of earlier
years. |
R-105D |
R-105M TIB |
The R-105 is the most common of the series, and was intended for use by infantry units.
Operating in one continuous band on 36-46.1mc, with an intended channel spacing of 25 or
50kc. RF power output is rated at 1 watt, FM. Power is derived from two internal Nicad
batteries. Differences between the R-105 & other radios in this family can be seen
below.
R-108M, R-109M |
R-108, R-109, R-114
The R-108, R-109, & R-114 are identical to the R-105 with the exception of frequency
coverage, & the intended branch of service they were to be used by. In similar fashion
to U.S. allocations in the 50's-early 60's The VHF frequency spectrum was sectioned off,
the different types of combat units having their own frequency range.To this end we
have the R-108 being operated by artillery units, between 28-36.5mc. The R-109, by
anti-aircraft artillery on 21.5-28.5mc And the R-114 20-26mc for command & liaison at
battalion level.
Though the R-105M series had been reported to be out of production before 1987, the
following provided by one of the radio collectors group would tend to indicate that it was
produced longer than officially thought. Further, it might reflect the build up of all
armaments, due to the hostilities between Iraq & Iran. |
One interesting fact: I have an R-105M Russian set that came from the Gulf, the wood
transit case has a contract number and date on it. The date is 1986, this is consistent
with the other equipment I have seen that seems to have been purchased in the early 1980s.
The BCC-349s have a similar production date on them. Documents that were included with my
set indicate it entered service in 1982, & had a last inspection date of 1990. Note,
these documents are present in both Russian & German.
Production of this radio series has taken place in many of the former Warsaw Pact
countries. Today, East German examples in nearly new condition, with all their accessories
& in the transit case, can be obtained from a West Coast surplus dealer. Only the
Russian variants of the R-105D,M, & R-108D,M have been confirmed as in use by Iraqi
forces. Versions of these radios have also been found that display panel makings in
English, Spanish and French. Though it is possible that these examples are of Desert Storm
origin, that has not been confirmed. And there is a possibility that these variants made
their way to this country by way of Granada. Remember that one?
We can easily see why the tank radios of Russian origin were present in Iraq. Basically
if you purchased a Russian tank, You got a Russian radio! The question arises that if the
Iraqi's had a choice, whether they would purchase equipment of such extremely antiquated
design? In the case of the Portable radios, this answer is simple and a reoccurring one.
Those were cheap! Huge stockpiles still exist of these types, they are being sold on the
surplus market by the box carload. Surplus sales both here & in European publications
carry ads for these radios. In the case of the tank radios, maybe that question will be
answered by our Chinese entry into the field.
Chinese Type 889 Radio |
Chinese Supplied Radios
The Chinese radios are very useful as well they have some reasonably good ones,
but I seem to recall from the Gulf War that they also have unreliable performance figures
(i.e. two Type 889, R-123M cognates can't run at the same time in one vehicle due to
interference problems). Iraq provided us a lot of info on their radio sets and souvenir
pubs taken from Iraqi bunkers showed the "lollipop chart" radio net diagrams
with all of the Chinese radio types. |
IRET PRC-638 |
With all the money that Iraq had available to spend on their equipment,
that radio equipment which has been available for inspection by civilian collectors does
not reflect a respect for communications ability or need. Equipment found is never of the
latest design, or even of the same generation as that used by other nations military's.
Instead it appears that the price tag was the determining factor in the acquisition of
signal equipment for the Iraqi military. Most of the radios that were brought back,
illegally by returning troops, were eventually disposed of to the surplus markets. These
radio sets will fall into two categories, Obsolete equipment discarded, or replaced in the
inventory of the country of origin and second class equipment, that was intended for
military / police / commercial sales, and did reflect some state of the art technology but
was physically ill suited for combat service. After the inspection of numerous pieces of
radio equipment, it is apparent that if a radio should fail, and couldn't be easily fixed,
it was discarded. In the event it wasn't, and repairs were attempted, it should have been
discarded and later was. I think this technical failing can be seen also in every other
item of Iraqi equipment that was complicated. We saw it in their missile program. The
diversity found in the communication equipment used is astounding. It would have been
impossible to maintain any kind of logistic support for such a diversity of equipment
types. Thus, the Iraqi army must have considered this equipment as disposable Before
beginning to discuss this equipment, it must be kept in mind that it is not known the
exact origin or time frame in which the Iraqi's acquired it. Radios could have been
purchased on the open market, from clandestine sources or it could have been captured
during the seven-year war with Iran as well as during their rapid invasion and capture of
Kuwait.
For More Details on
Iraqi Comms, See Desert Storm Article by Dennis Starks
A list of these radios and technical details can be obtained from Dennis Starks of the
"Military Collector Group Post" E-Mail: military-radio-guy@juno.com or can be found
in Janes.
A screening can ripped open
and then left by Iraqi Technician
Board from a IRET PRC-439 |
A screening can form a PRC-439. Iraqi Technicians writing, with a skull and cross bone |
|
IRET PRC-638 and Hand Set |
IRET PRC-638 |
Warnings on PRC-638 in Arabic |
IRET PRC-638 Usage Instructions |
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IRET PRC-638 Usage Instructions, Translated
1- Put a fully
charged battery in the device.
2- Attach the
short or long antenna according to your need to it’s socket. Note: when
using the bipolar antenna (50 ohm) use the socket AA-6
3- Attach the
manual device to the (not sure, I think socket) of the manual device number
1 (remote control, drawing, Morris)
4- Select the
desired frequency using the 4 options given.
5- Turn the
volume control knob all the way down
6- Turn the on
off control button to on
7- Turn the
suppression control (not sure about that) button to any of the off
positions, then adjust the volume control to the desired level.
8- Turn the
suppression control to up or down according to the need (tone or carrier)
and according to the desired mode of operation.
9- To send push
the send button and speak in front of the speaker and to receive take your
hand off the button
Note: you will hear and interrupted tone outside the
(?) when (?) comes down. |
IRET PRC-638 Warnings, Translated
1- Do not utilize the device without antenna because that would damage it
due to it’s sensitivity.
2- Do not carry the device using the antenna or the manual device because
that might result in damaging the base and it’s connection to the manual
device (I guess they mean the speaker)Warning
1- Do not use the device charger to charge the dry batteries because that
might result in damaging the charger
2- Keep the original batteries (nickel/cadmium) that came with the device
because they are rechargeable for up to 300 times
3- Do not utilize the device using the charger directly without the
batteries because that might end up in damaging the device.
4- You can not use the device and charge the batteries at the same time. |
IRET PRC-638 |
Frequency Controls and Lower Knobs From Right to Left
- first socket upper writing: remote control then under it Morris and a
symbol
- lower writing: socket for manual control
- Second socket upper writing one word: power
- Third knob lower writing: Volume control adjuster
- Upper writing from right to left: on, then voluntary emission and a symbol
under it, last word is off
- Forth knob is: for control of type of suppression
- Upper writing on forth knob: first position is tone, second is carrier,
third is off, the forth is tone, the fifth is carrier and the sixth is off
- There are three words on top of this knob the right top one is labelled
high the middle word from top is the output power, the third is high.
- The fifth knob has two words one on top is on and two words on bottom
upper one is off and the second on bottom is remote control. |
IRET PRC-439 |
IRET PRC-439 |
IRET PRC-439 |
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